Kokomo Athletics

Kokomo beats Harrison (4-1) to win Regionals Caleb Taflinger- ​W 5-2, retired Micah Taflinger- ​W 6-3, 6-3 Mitch McClelland- ​W 6-2, 6-3 Blake/Mayfield- ​L 6-3, 6-2 Moos/McClain- ​W 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 ​When talent and culture are close, culture wins out. Harrison was extremely talented, but we have a great culture. 9/9 of our varsity players have a parent who went to Kokomo. 9/9 have a 3.6 GPA or higher (3.9 is team average). 8/9 play another sport besides tennis. After sectional last week, we ran a mile that next day. Not one player complained. Coach Hall taught us how to build a team that was ready in the postseason, in shape, and gritty. My dad taught me that winning is NOT everything. Store up treasures in heaven where moth and rust can not destroy. Eternally, your heart is where your treasure is. This team has the right culture. They don't take short cuts, they respect and don't overlook opponents, they listen, they fight and they love each other (team over self). Shout out to Howard County tennis. Sectionals were tougher than regionals and prepared us well. Shout out to our strength and conditioning coach, Justin Frazier, too! He pushes us in the weightroom and has made us better athletes. Final shout out to all the Alumni who played us this year in a scrimmage. Their encouragement has been off the charts this season. We had a great fan base at Harrison tonight!! Caleb(23-2) was first point since his guy retired after being down 5-2. Caleb lost to him in three sets earlier in the and it was huge to get that first quick point. He is the leader of this team and is playing so well right now. Micah(22-3) was the 2nd point while staying undefeated in the post-season. He is so steady and consistent. Mitch(20-5) was our 3rd and deciding point. He just wears down guys and has improved so much. Our singles guys are special and just know how to play winning tennis. With the injury at #1 singles it was nice to get that 4th point to back-up the championship. #2 doubles, our sophomore sensations, took a set to warm up, and then dominated the last two sets. Austin and Carter (19-4) have learned how to play doubles, how to play together and how to win. We knew they have one of the best players in the state at #1 doubles. He was at #2 singles when we played them in August and is just a tremendous player. Harry and Joe(15-8) really played better tennis than anyone on our team today, but just ran up against some stiff competition. Those two are the most improved players I have ever coached. Harry is the heart and glue to our team and contributes so much to us winning.